Portable ironing stand with iron support



July 14, 1953 J. H. w, LEWIS PORTABLE IRONING .STAND WITH IRON SUPPORT 5 Sheets-Sheet 1;

Filed Nov. 4, 1947 Ma gm Wm WM UV iw n m M n e J July 14, 1953 J. H. w. LEWIS 2,645,045

PORTABLE IRONING STAND WITH IRON SUPPORT Filed Nov. 4, 1947 s Sheets-Sheet 2 MVEMTOfC July 14, 1953 .1. H. w. LEWIS PORTABLE IRONING STAND WITH IRON SUPPORT 5 Shet's-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 4, 1947 m ms ow n ml m WWW u K. H

M /H I July 14, 1953 .1. H. w. LEWIS 2,545,045

PORTABLE IRONING STAND WITH IRON SUPPORT Filed Nov. 4, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Juiiy M, 1953 J. H. w. LEWES 2,645,045

PORTABLE IRONING STAND WITH IRON SUPPORT iled NOV, 4, 1.947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR JOHN HENRY.WALTER LEWIS ATTORNE Y3 Patented July 14, 1953 2,645,045 PORTABLE IRONING STAND WITH IRON p SUPPORT John Henry Walter Lewis, Chaldon, near Caterham, England Application November 4, 1947, Serial No. 783,870 In Great Britain November '7, 1946 This invention relates to improvements in and relating toironing equipment and'in particular to ironing stands of the portable, transportable or folding type and embodying a fireproof support upon which the iron is rested when not in use. I

The invention is directed particularly though not exclusively'to standsfor use in conjunction with electrically heated irons of the cordless" type, i. e. irons in which the heating element is not connected. with any electric' current leads during the operation of ironing.

It is :a disadvantage of ironing equipment as at present constructed that when the work of ironing is finished the ironiis still hot, and it is usually necessary to allow it to cool over a lengthy period before it can be safely stowed away. Thus if the portable or transportable or folding ironing stand is to be stowed immediately, it becomes necessary to find a suitable separate place for location of ,the iron whilst it is cooling off.

Itis the primary object. of the present invention to provide ironing equipment whereby this disadvantage is overcome. In accordance with the present invention a portable or transportable ironing stand is provided comprising an ironing surface for the work, a fireproof support for the reception of the iron when not in use for ironing, and securing means for retaining the iron fixed in position on the fireproof support. I s

The iron retaining device may be under the control of the operator, being allowed to remain in a non-retaining condition throughout the entire ironing operations including the intervals during which the iron is rested temporarily on the support, and being operable to fix the iron in position on the support when the ironing opera-v tions are completed, so that the stand may be stowed away, or folded and stowed away, with the iron remaining in position on the fireproof support, in which position it is safely left to cool.

In the case of an ironing stand of the kind having a foldable stand it is desirable, after the iron has been placed on the fireproof support, that the fixing of the iron in position on the fireproof support be effected before the stand is folded for stowing, to avoid the possibility of the iron fallingfrom the stand, and in accordance I with a further feature of the invention the fixing means for the iron is associated with parts of the stand which are required to move relative to one another when the stand is to be folded, in such manner as to prevent such relative move- Claims. (01. 38-107) ment "and therefore folding of the stand until the fixing means for the iron has been caused to take'the' iron fixing position.

The fixing means for the iron and the parts of the stand with which said means are associated for the above described purpose are preferably also disposed in such manner that manipulation of the fixing means for the iron to permit the latter to be removed from the fireproof support is rendered impossible whilst the stand is in the folded condition.

One embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a complete stand.

Figure 2 is a view in plan of the top of the stand.

Figures 3 and 4 are views in sectional elevation showing the method of connection of the folding support with the top of the stand.

Figure 5 is a view in sectional end elevation on the line 5--5 of Figure 1 and on a larger scale.

Figure 6 is a part plan view also on a larger scale and Figures '7 and 8 are perspective viewsof parts of the locking mechanism.

Figure 9 is an end view in elevation of an alternate arrangement by which the iron is secured in its fireproof support on the stand, and

Figure 10 is a view in elevation, the iron being shown in dot and dash lines, taken on the line XX of Figure 9.

Figure 11 is a detail'of a portion of the mechanism shown in Figure 9, with the control bar shown in section.

Figure 12 is a plan view of the parts shownin Figurei'l.

Referring to the drawings, the improved stand comprises an ironing top or board I formed as a sheet metal pressing with downwardly depending edge flanges 2 and provided on its underside with channel section reinforcement bars 3 affixed for example by welding.

The top I is covered over the greater part of its upper surface including one end, with a layer of felt 4 or other appropriate padding material which in turn is covered with fabric 5 adapted to form the ironing surface.

, The uncovered portion at one end of the top I is apertured or recessed and in the aperture or recess is mounted a fireproof support for the iron, in'the form of a metal tray 6 having a flat base I wider'at one end than the other, side walls 8 of small depth at the wide end of the base I and of increasing depth in the direction away from said wide end, and an end wall 9 at the narrow end of the base I. At the wide end of the base 1 is provide an apron III extending downwards below the top I of the stand and this apron may be an integral extension of the base 'I of the tray. A narrow slot exists between the apron I and the adjacent end of the aperture or recess in the top I of the stand.

A roller I2 extends across the width of the Wide end of the base 1, being carried on a fixed axis pin connected to the side walls 8 of the tray and a second and parallel roller I3 is mounted between lugs I4 bent up from the base of the tray on an intermediate line somewhat closer to roller I2 than the end wall 9 of the tray. The base 1 of the tray may be asbestos lined and the rollers I2 and I3 are mounted close to the base I and the dimensions are such that the upper sides of the rollers lie just above the asbestos lining of the tray.

The side walls 8 and end wall 9 are flanged as shown at II and the arrangement is such that when the tray is mounted in the aperture or recess in the top I with the edge flanges I I resting upon the top I, the upper side of the roller I2 is approximately in the plane of the ironing surface on top I and the base I of the tray is at a small downward inclination thereto, the roller I3 being at a lower level than roller I2. The tray is preferably mounted with its longitudinal centre line at an inclination, indicated by angle in Figure 1, with the longitudinal centre line of the top.

Thus an iron can be moved from the ironing surface of the top I into the fireproof support formed by the tray 6 by a simple arcuate sliding movement which is an extension of a normal sliding movement as employed in the ironing operation and without any necessity for lifting the weight of the iron, and the small downward inclination of the base 1 ensures retention of the iron on the fireproof support by gravity.

The downward inclination of the base 1 is small so that little or no additional effort is required to slide the iron from the fireproof support back onto the ironing surface.

When the stand is to be used with a cordless iron a terminal box I5 is provided on the underside of the top I beyond the outer end wall 19 of the tray 6 and the said wall 9 is apertured as at I6 for the passage of contacts I! provided in known manner on the rear end of the iron I8 for engagement with contacts I9 in the terminal box I5 when the iron is moved fully home on the fireproof support as shown in Figure 6.

The terminal box I 5 is adapted to be connected through a lead 20 with a source of current; and with the current to box I5 on, the heating circuit of the iron is closed by the engagement between the contacts I! on the iron and the contacts I 9 in the terminal box I5, each time the iron is placed on the fire proof support so that heating up of the iron takes place in the intervals between ironing operations.

The iron is preferably provided in known manner with an adjustable heat-sensitive or thermostat switch Within its body adapted'to open the heating circuit when the iron has reached a desired temperature and an indicator lamp 2I is provided in the terminal box l5, viewable through a window in a cover plate 22 fixed over an aperture in the top I of the stand above the terminal box I5 to indicate whether the heating circuit of the iron is closed or not.

Within the fireproof support 6 at the narrow end thereof are fixed a pair of angle pieces 23 with one limb of each affixed to one vertical wall 8 of the tray and with the other limbs 24 (Figure 6) extending towards one another across the fireproof support. The adjacent edges of the projecting limbs 24 are shaped to conform closely to the body of the iron I8 (shown in dotted lines in Figure 6) at the rear end thereof above the widest part, considered in a vertical direction, at the lower edge of the body or above the usual projectingedge 25 of the sole plate of the iron. The shaped projecting limbs 24 ensure that the iron can only be placed upon or removed from the'fireproof support by a transverse movement in the direction from the wide, towards the narrow end of the base I, and in the case of a' cordless iron they ensure the iron taking the precise centralised-position necessary for passage of the contacts I! on the iron through the apertures IG'in the end wall 9 of the fireproof support.

In accordance :with the present invention means are provided for locking the iron in position on the fireproof support and the means for this-purpose in the caseillustrated are as follows:

Upon the vertical centre line of the downwardlydepending apron I0 and below the top I is mounted a rotatable metal disc 2B-having a pair-of symmetrically arranged-cam slots 21 in which engage pins 28 on the lower ends of a pair of hooked bell'cran'k levers 29 mounted to rock about separate fixed pivots 30 on the apron I0, the other ends of said levers beingshaped-to form c1a'ws 3I (Figure '5). These bell crank levers 29 constitute movable iron retaining members in this form-of theinvention. Tension springs 32 are connected between theclaw ends of the levers 29 and fixed anchorages 33 on the'apron I 0. The disc26-is m'ovable about its centre pivot through a fixed-angle bymeans'o'f acontrol'bar34 making pin and slot connection at-one end'35 with thedis'c and being arranged to slide in guides 36' on the under'sidebf a bl0ck31 fixed beneath the top I,'-operation"being eifected'b'y means of a knob-38 accessibleatone side of the top I.

By thrusting the-bar-M inwards into the positionshown in full lines inFigure 5 the disc 26 is rotated and the levers 29 caused to take the position "shown in full lines in that figure in whicht-he' claws 3I areengaged over the-projecting edge 25 or thesole plate of the iron at points towards thefrontend of the iron, iqe. forwards of the'widest-part of the sole plate of the iron.

The shape ofthe cam'slots21 in the disc 26 is such that the -levers'29'cannot be moved except "by 'rota'tion'of the'disc, -so that in the above describedposition'of the'parts the iron is'held "locked to"thefireproof"'support by the engagem'ent'of the limbs 24 of'the angle pieces towards the rear end 'ofthe iron; and the'claws 3 I of the 'le'vers29 towards the front'endof the iron, over thee'dge'of the sole plate.

The ironing top I is-carried upon a folding support comprisingapainof 'fra'mes39 and 40, each formed'by two legs conveniently of metal tubing, eonnectedat the lower ends in each'frame by cross braces 4I "I'he'legs' of each frame are flared outwards'in'the'downward direction (Figure 4) to provideimproved's'tability when the stand is in use, and the width. of one frame) is. suchthat it may be mounted between the legs of the other frame 39, the two frames being pivotally connected together intermediate their ends as shown at 42, Figure 1. The frame 39 is somewhat larger.

bearing members 43 are spaced from one another by a spacing tube 45 and the fiattened'ends of the legs. from the lugs 44 by spacing members 46 and the whole is held assembled by nuts 41 screwed onto the ends of a rod 48 passing through tube 45 and the bearing members 43.

The legs of the frame 49 are pivotally connected at their upper ends to thefree ends 48 of a pair of parallel links 49 of angle section, the other ends of which are pivotally connected to lugs 55 fixed to the underside of the top at a distance from the pivot lugs 44 of frame 39 slightly greater than the length of the links 49.

With thestand unfolded for usethe frames 39, 43 occupy the position shown in full lines in Figure 1, in which the. links 49 connected with frame 43 extend to the left in the figure from the fixed pivot 55 with the top resting on the links. I

To fold the stand, the left-hand end of the top in Figure l is raised about the pivot of frame 35 and frame 49 is moved about its pivot 42 on frame 35, the links 49 at the same time moving about the pivot 5t on the top I. Frame 43 and links 49 form in effect, a toggle linkage, and to complete the folding, this toggle linkage 4t, 49 is made to take its maximum length or dead centre position and moved on until the links 45! take a position close to the underside of the top 2 but now extending to the right in Figure 1, the frames 39 and 453 being at the same time constrained to take a position close tothe underside of the top l as shown in dotted lines Unfolding of the stand is carried out by a sequence of movements in the reverse direction to that described above.

It will be readily understood that it is desirable to ensure that the iron which is to rest upon the fireproof support when the stand is stowed away should be fixedto the fireproof supportbefore the stand is folded, if possible upsetting or accident with the iron is to be avoided and the improved stand is provided with means to ensure such preliminary fixing or locking of the iron before the stand is folded.

For this purpose a plate 5| is welded to the upper end of one of the legs of frame 39, for movement with said frame about the bearings in lugs 44 beneath the top This plate is provided in its edge with a slot 52 located so that when the stand is unfolded, i. e. is in the full line position of Figure 1, the hand-controlled bar 34 controlling movement of the locking means for the iron extends through the slot 52 (Figures 6 and 7). The control bar 34 is also provided on one edge with a slot 53 of asize to permit the plate 5| to move within it. 7

With the stand in use for ironing, the control bar 34 occupies its drawn-out position, i. e. the dotted line position shown in Figure 5, so that the claw ends 3| of the locking levers are in the position below the ironing surface of the top I d and the iron can be moved freelyonto and off from the fireproof stand, andin this position of the bar 34 the slot 53 therein is out fromregister:

withplate 5| (see Figure 7). Since theba'r 34 extends through the slot 52 in the plate 5| move. ment of the plate and therefore ofthe frame 39.

about the bearings '43 is prevented, so that folding of thestand cannot take place. If however.

:In the folded condition of the stand the Slot 52 in the plate 5| is out from register with the bar 34 as will be seen from Figure 7 so that the bar cannot be moved longitudinally to release the iron from the fireproof support.

Thus from the unfolded condition of use of the stand it is made impossible to fold the stand without first operating the mechanism for looking the iron to the fireproof stand, and with the iron locked to the fireproof support and the stand. folded, it is impossible to remove the iron from the fireproof support without first unfolding the stand to bring it to the position of use.

It is to be understood that the embodiment described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings is one example only ofa construction according to the invention.

In an alternative construction as shown in Figs. 9 and 10 the means forsecuring the iron IS on the fireproof support 5 is in the form of a U- shaped hoop or yoke 54 carried fixedly'at the ends of a pair of parallel bars 55 pivoted at 55 to brackets 51 on the top of the stand, the hoop or yoke 54 being movable with the bars 55 about the pivots 55 between a position of clamping engagement over the forward endof the .body of the iron as shown in full lines in Figs. 9 and 10, and a position where the hoop hangs over the end of the top of the stand as shown in dotted'lines in Fig. 10. The U-shaped hoop or yoke 54'terminates at each end in extension pieces with end hooks 58, these parts being adapted, in the position for clamping the iron, to extend downwards through holes in the top The U-shaped hoop or yoke 54 constitutes the movable iron retaining member in this form of the invention.

A control bar 34 with operating knob 38 is mounted as in the previously described construction for sliding movement beneath the top, and

To release the iron, the control bar 34 is movedby the knob 38 in the direction against the spring 60 to a position permitting withdrawal of the hooks 58 from the apertures 59 and upwards through the table top and-swinging of the hoop or. yoke 54 to the position shown in dotted lines in- Fig. 10. Cams 5| on the controlbar 34 'are engaged by the sidesof the hooks .53 to move the control bar 34 to permit the hooks to pass through the apertures therein when the hoop is returned to the iron retaining position.

The means to prevent folding of the stand until understood thatmodifications and variations may.

bemade'in thosepreferred embodiments, as described, which would nevertheless come within the scope of my invention. It is therefore my intention to include as part of my invention all such'modifications and variations as properly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I: claim:

1; Ironing equipment comprising a stand including anironing top for the work to be-ironed and having an electrical outlet, a foldable supporting structure connected with said ironing top for movement; between a folded condition for stowing of-thestand and an unfolded condition for use of thestand, a fireproof support fixed to said ironing top for reception of a cordless iron when not in use, electrical connectors on the said ironing top for engagement with corresponding coacting connectors of a cordless iron, said connectors being engageable with one another by longitudinal movement of the ironinto position on the-saidfireproof support, movable iron retaining means mounted on the ironing top and movable into a position of retaining engagement with a cordless iron when said iron is in position on the said fireproof-support with said coacting connectors engaged with one another to prevent dis, engagement of saidcoacting connectors from one another and to serve in conjunction with said engaged connectors to retain a cordless iron on the said fireproof support, a locking means on said foldable structure and a control member on said' top, said control member coacting with said locking means and iron retaining means to lock the latter in iron retaining position against movement relative to the top when the supporting structure-is folded.

A portable ironing stand comprising an ironing top for the work to be ironed, a foldable supporting-structureconnected with said ironing top for movement between a folded condition for stowing' of the stand and an'unfolded condition for use of the stand, a fireproof support fixed'to said ironing top for the reception of an iron when not in use; a control member movable between two positionson said stand and cooperating with said foldable structure to lock same against folding when unfolded; means comprising at least one movable iron retaining member carried by the ironing top for movement between iron locking and unlocking positions with respect to said fireproof support, a locking member on said stand and cooperating with said control member to lock said' foldable structure against movement into folded position, said control member coupling said iron retaining member and locking member for coaction so that when said control member is in one of said two positions, said iron retaining member is unlocked and said locking member is engaged with said control member to lock said foldable structure against folding; and when said control member is in the other position, saidiron retaining member is locked against movement in iron locking position and said locking member is disengaged from said control member for folding said foldable structure.

87 3. A. stand according to claim 2 in which the ironing top isslotted-adjacent said fireproof support, and said iron retaining member comprises a pair of. hooked levers pivotally supported below, said. top, said hooked portions extending through said'slots to engage or release from engagement an iron supported in said fireproof support, said? levers being connected to and controlledby said control member.

41 Aistandiaccording to claim 2 in which said fireproof 'support comprises bottom and side walls, guide elementsfixed to said side walls and extending towardsone another across said bottom; and spaced therefrom, said elements supporting part of -'the body of an iron when seated in said'support.

5=. A. stand according to claim 2 in which the ironing top is slotted'adjacent said fireproof support, andsaid iron retaining member comprises a yoke pivotally. supported on said top for movementinto-orout of iron locking position on said top,'saidcontrol-member being supported below said top, saidyoke having means extending through said. slots for releasable engagement with said control member.

6. A stand'according to claim 2 in which the ironing top-isslotted adjacent said fireproof support; and said'iron retaining member comprises a. yoke movably supportedon said top for movement. into or out of iron locking position on said top, said control member being supported below said top, said yoke having means extending through said 'slots'for releasable engagement with said control member.

7; Acstand' according to claim 2 in which the locking member is fixed to said foldable structure; and isreleased from locking coaction with s aid,contro1'member in'one position of said controlmember.

8. A stand according to claim 2 in which the locking; member isfixed to said foldable structure; and is,:locked;against movement by said con- :rol'member when the stand is in ironing posi- .011- 9.,A stand according to claim 2 in which the locking member is fixed to the foldable structure and" is slottedadjacent the control member and saidcontrol; member, in one position, passes through said slot to lock said foldable structure in iron ng. position.

10; A stand according to claim 2 in which the control member is slotted adjacent the locking member, said locking member being fixed-to the foldablev structure and passing through said slot in-one; position of saidcontrol member when the foldable;str,uc ture is folded.

JOHN HENRY WALTER LEWIS.

. References Citedin the file of, this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Nam-ev Date l;277,912 Greenup Sept. 3, 1918 1,784,959 Danielson Dec. 16, 1930 2;04'6,'938 Duvall July 7, 1937 2,460;04= 4v Tomey Jan. 25, 1949 V FOREIGNPA'I'ENTS Number Country Date 132,998 Germany w July 30, 1902 

